Northern NH via Ammonoosuc and Presidential Rail Trail (NH-USA)

See the wild side of New Hampshire: Forests, Rivers, Solitude.

Easy

NH Rail Trail - Property of Trail Link 5

NH Rail Trail - Property of Trail Link 3

NH Rail Trail - Property of Trail Link 1

Overview

This rail trail stretching roughly from Woodsville, NH to Berlin offers one of the most remote and peaceful rail-trail experiences in New England. If you're looking for some stunning scenery, this might take the cake! This part of New England is one of the most gorgeous parts you're likely to encounter, and this route is the perfect way to experience it. Tucked away from most major roads, these trails will allow you to soak in the nature while feeling the intricacies of the land. Beats being in a car!!

This particular route consists of 3 distinct and roughly equal sections.

Ammonoosuc Rail Trail (20 miles)

Quiet Road Riding (16 miles)

Presidential Rail Trail (23 miles)

Difficulty Explained

I am personally torn with this rating and could easily see it going either way.

What makes it Easy?

Low elevation gain; mostly separated from cars; relatively short total distance making planning easier;

What makes it Moderate?

Surface is mostly crushed gravel; Long stretches without services; Exposure to weather and remoteness increases challenge

Northern Rail Trail (NH)

Interactive map showing the complete route. Green marker indicates start point, red marker shows the end point.

Local Businesses

Food/Drink

Wildflour Cafe (Lisbon, NH): Awesome little bakery that provides a hearty breakfast to fuel your ride. Directly off the trail.

Schilling Beer Co. (Littleton, NH): Awesome brewery right on the river with great food and beer. Great spot for a break. . Directly off the trail.

Sunny & Jillians Pizza & Pub (Whitefield, NH): Self-explanatory place but with great outdoor seating. In town.

Big Day Brewing (Gorham, NH): Great spot close to the end to enjoy a beer and some good eats. . 1 mile east of trail.

Core Shot Coffee Bar (Gorham, NH): Highly rated coffee shop that also sells some outdoor gear. Across the river.

Lodging

Israel River Campground (Jefferson, NH): Great private campground that caters to cyclists of the trail trail. Directly off the trail.

Valley Way Tentsite (Mt. Adams, NH): If you’re into Free wild camping, and going to attempt a hike, this could be for you. . 2 miles into Mt Adams Hike.

Moose Brook State Park (Gorham, NH): State park with Campgrounds. Directly off the trail.

Resources

The Gear Library (Littleton, NH): Amazing little non-profit that has gear people can borrow for free. Check out the website for more details and consider donating if you love the cause. . 2 miles from trail.

Crooker Cycle Sports (Berlin, NH): Bike shop at the end of the Trail. Directly off the trail.

Notable Sites + Highlights

Bath Bridge NH Historical Highway

Presidential Range Views

Mt. Adams Trailhead. If you have the energy and the legs, this is an awesome hike where you can get a full view of the presidential range. Easily one of the prettiest areas in the Northeast USA.

Wildlife sightings may include moose, bald eagles, deer, and loons.

Logistics

Transportation To and From

This is a fairly remote part of the state so you will definitely need a car to get you to the starting point. As such, there is no way to get from the end to the start, so this is classified as an Out and Back

Recommended Gear

Bike Type

This trail, except for the road section is entirely gravel and crushed rock. Road Bikes are NOT recommended. Highly recommend a Gravel bike, XC hardtail MTB, or Bikepacking setup for multi-day

Clothing

This is a short trail so look ahead the night before. That being said, this part of the country is highly variable so I weather shifts very rapidly. In fact, Mt Washington has some of the craziest weather on the planet! Highest wind recorded on Earth!!!
Even if weather app says it's warm I would bring a light jacket in case
Rain shell
Bug protection (head net in June isn’t crazy)

Camping

There's a ton of camping along the route. Recommend a light-weight camping setup.

Other

Given the remoteness, I'd recommend a battery powerbank to charge your phone.
Perhaps a pre-loaded GPS in case you get lost.

Navigation

Generally well-marked rail trail
Limited complex intersections
If you can, download offline maps (Garmin / RideWithGPS / Komoot) in case you lose service.

Resources Along the Way

Lodging

Small inns in Berlin, Gorham and Littleton.
Theres camping sites almost every 10 miles so plan ahead to see which ones suit your needs.

Food & Water

Towns will have services but very limited between.
Carry 2–3 bottles minimum of water and electrolytes.

Local Notes

Best Seasons

Late June through September
Fall foliage (late Sept–early Oct) is spectacular

Avoid

Mud season (April-May)
Peak black fly season (late May–June)

Tips

If camping, be careful at high to avoid wildlife such as Bears or Moose.
Emergency number: 911 (United States)
Tell someone your route plan before departure
Bring basic repair kit + spare tube are ESSENTIAL!
Enjoy the VIEWS!

Important Warnings

This route can be quite remote. Don't be surprised if you lose cell service for large sections. Plan accordingly with extra provisions and repair materials. Always let a friend know of your plans and check in with them.

Bug season (late spring/early summer) can be intense with mosquitos and black flies. Ticks are always a concern in this region so do frequent tick checks.

There can be a lot of wlidlife in this region like black bears and moose.

Route Details

Distance(Miles)

120 mi

Duration

1-2 Days

Elevation(ft)

2500

Countries

United States

Start/End Points

Woodsville, NH -> Berlin, NH

Route Format

Out and Back

Bike Lane Types

Bike Path

75%

Separated Bike Lane

Shared Lane

25%

External Resources

Bike New England

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